Member

May 13, 2010 06:33

Hi all

From time to time I've posted about my Journey to Black Belt, and a few people seemed interested so I figured it's time to give an update.

We're now just over 2 weeks into our Black Belt Prep Cycle training. The Prep Cycle is a 7-week intensive program structured to push each candidate to their physical and mental limits, culminating in the Black Belt Grading weekend on June 18-19.

I've posted an update on my blog with how the prep cycle is going, and more info about the actual Black Belt Grading weekend and what's in store for us - especially in the sparring. It's not going to be pretty!

You can read it here:
Update After Week 2 of the Black Belt Prep Cycle

I'm usually into Astronomy as a hobby as well, and the timing of these amazing clear skies pretty much all throughout May has just been the worst. Going outside at night to do any astronomy is pretty much the last thing on my mind right now. Sleep is all I want!

Thanks for reading.

Mike Salway
mikesalway.com.au : Astronomy | Photography | Karate
IceInSpace: Australian Amateur Astronomy

Member

May 15, 2010 17:32

Thanks for the update Mike, it is always enjoyable to read about your progress.

Remember the hand and foot "want" to hit the target....just release them!

Enjoy,

Administrator

May 17, 2010 06:36

I was only thinking the other day it's been a while since you posted an update.... Good to hear how it's going.

Out of curiosity have many of the potentials been "voted off" yet?

It will be great to see you emerge from the other end fitter and stronger than when you started..

Now slightly more bruised than before.

Member

May 17, 2010 07:06

Thanks Matt and Mike.

Michael - we've had 1 pre-test so far, where the black belts voted on the candidates - and that was on the very first prep cycle class.

I don't believe anyone was voted off then, but they categorised the candidates as:
1. No issues so far and ready to progress to the next stage
2. Some concerns/issues that need to be worked on before the next pre-test.

(I was in the #1 group, yay).

The next pre-test is actually this Wednesday evening, and it's a sparring related pre-test. I believe it's going to be like the sparring that will take place on Black Belt Grading weekend, but a slightly cut-down version. The black belts will again vote after this pre-test, so some may be voted off the island then. It's also a chance for the candidate to say "I'm not ready for this", or "I've had enough" and they may vote themselves out if they don't think they can go through it again on black belt grading weekend.

I think this Wednesday will be quite an eye-opener. I'm not sure that all candidates understand yet that the sparring is going to be much harder and much worse than anything they've done in class before. To have (fresh) black belt after (fresh) black belt thrown at you until you are physically and mentally broken. And then have to come out the other side, stand at the line and bow, and go again!

Should be quite a night.

Mike Salway
mikesalway.com.au : Astronomy | Photography | Karate
IceInSpace: Australian Amateur Astronomy

Administrator

May 18, 2010 14:13

Sounds like you will need your weet bix that day. Can't wait to hear how it goes...

Now slightly more bruised than before.

Member

June 11, 2010 06:35

One of the last updates in my Journey to Black Belt..

One more week to go.. so close I can smell it!

Mike Salway
mikesalway.com.au : Astronomy | Photography | Karate
IceInSpace: Australian Amateur Astronomy